Shortly after, the two of us took one failed pill from the alchemy apprentice in our class, ready to swallow it any minute now.
Surrounded by other disciples on our sides, I looked at the villainess. Yet, to my surprise, I didn't see even a single sign of hesitation in her eyes—only contempt for me and confidence for winning.
Despite slightly hesitating because of her confidence, I still trust myself, so….
Her smirk is really annoying; I feel like wiping it off her face.
I still remember the grudge from two years ago. Though I am no longer angry, recalling what happened doesn't make me feel anything.
Sometimes, I am surprised by how I feel—or maybe how I don't feel. Having strong emotions towards a situation or a person can be difficult, and they rarely last long before being pushed into the depths of my mind.
Well, maybe this is a bad analogy. A strong, intense emotion that disperses soon after. That's how I would describe myself.
I can't be concerned about something for long, but if someone manages to trigger me. Then it's like a volcanic eruption…
"What? scared?"
Maybe because I remained unmoved for too long, the villainess hurried me in a mocking voice.
"Scared? I wouldn't say so, but what about making this "competition" more interesting?"
I said in a light tone, as if not taking the situation I found myself in seriously at all.
My voice seemed to carry a natural villainess taunt effect as she was ready to rebuke me, but I stopped her…
"One thousand spirit stones for the fact that my potion will work. Or maybe you are scared?"
I said, with the corners of my lips raised.
The commotion broke up after my declaration. After all, one thousand spirit stones was quite a large amount, and with such a sum, you could comfortably break through into the next realm.
Every month, we receive resources for cultivation based on our grades. Occupying the top spot for two consecutive years made me quite a small fortune.
I haven't used any spirit stones so far because I'm saving them for something important.
I felt quite satisfied seeing the dumbfounded face of the villainess and added.
"Well, if you're too poor, it can't be helped…"
My words seem to piss off the villainess so much that I was afraid her blood vessels on her forehead would explode.
Thankfully, this did not happen as she called her two subordinates to borrow from them, assuring that she would double it.
"We will start now — let the better win. If your potion turns out to be ineffective, remember not to regret your choice."
She said, trying to appear righteous. Yet, my eyes were drawn to the large pile of spirit stones on the ground.
So much money…
Betting on the fact that my potion will not be effective is utterly stupid. If I didn't check thoroughly, I would really believe that she meddled with it.
Listening to the whispers around me, it seemed my classmates were also confused. Where does the villainess' confidence come from?
'Well, let's see whether I've been tricked.'
I thought, following my opponent's movements and swallowing the black pill.
The burned, disgusting taste passed throughout my mouth, and I almost spat the pill but forced myself to swallow.
A couple of seconds passed, and I started to have a stomachache. Not wasting any more time, I gulped down the detoxifying potion.
Comfortable warmth spread around my stomach, calming the upcoming danger.
Only then did I breathe a sigh of relief. Consuming the failed pill will at the very least give you a stomachache, the worst-case scenario…
'What is that smell?'
I thought and focused on my surroundings after eliminating the toxins from my body.
There, with the pale face white as a sheet, lay down the villainess. She was coughing violently, and the unpleasant smell seemed to spread from her.
"Well, I guess that's my win."
I said aloud, taking the whole pile of spirit stones with me and distancing myself from her.
Ready to leave this place for now.
Yet, just as I was about to exit the class, I bumped into someone.
"Apologies, Elder; I was about to look for you. Our classmate seems unwell."
I said with a straight face, as if I wasn't about to escape the chaos that was about to ensue.
Looking at the panicked disciples and the villainess that is now laying in her own pool of piss, puke and blood.
I really want to escape from here. Who knew that the villainess was so unreliable? Poisoning herself with her potion, with the addition of a failed pill whose effects did not stop…
Looking at the Elder that sped up to save lives, I couldn't help but mutter aloud…
"What a mess."
'Literally.'
>>>>>>>>>>
- Outside the lecture hall, an hour later -
"Do you think the teacher will keep her long?"
Nico asked, leaning on the nearby tree.
"Well…"
Sighed Natalie, looking at the building some distance from them. There, throughout the large window, they could see Rose and the Elder.
Currently, Rose is getting scolded by the Elder. They couldn't hear anything, but from the body language alone, they could assume that the teacher wasn't light in her scolding.
"It's not Rose's fault that the fool almost killed herself. Why is she getting an earful from that?"
Commented Emily.
"It's not as straightforward as it seems. Do you remember that Elder Mao is friends with Sister Yuan's grandmother? Moreover, the disciple was injured due to her negligence. How will she explain that to the higher-ups?"
Nico said, being well informed when it comes to sect dynamics.
"Doesn't it mean that Rose is in trouble?"
Natalie asked worriedly.
"Not really. Rose is talented, and some people have already noticed her; they wouldn't let such talent be suppressed. After all, despite most of the disciples coming from a noble background, the sect prioritizes talent above all else."
Stated Nico, calming upset Natalie.
"That's a relief. Then…"
"The chaos made me forget to ask, but now that the three of us are all here — don't you think that the Rose looks quite different today?"
Natalie spoke about the question that had been bothering her all day.
"Different? I guess you can say that. Did she put on any makeup today?"
Nico pondered.
"She isn't really a person to put any makeup, saying that it's a waste of time and annoying to put on. So…"
Emily thought.
"Can it be because she wants to look pretty for someone today?"
Natalie suggested hesitantly, as someone who had read too many romance novels in the past. She couldn't help but imagine such a scenario.
Hearing that, the other girl's ears perked up. After all, what is the most interesting topic for a young woman to talk about other than love?
"As much as I wish for my friend's happiness, do you really think that the person who once took a confession from the girl as wanting to be just friends, would suddenly be in a mood for dating?"
Emily said, dumping her and others' excitement after serious consideration.
"Ah... the confession accident; she left the girl crying. Imagine gathering all your courage to ask out the prettiest girl in the class, only for that when you finally confessed, she would answer:"
"I like you too. Let's hang around more."
"In a tone that screams — let's be friends. The worst thing is that she doesn't seem to understand that it was the confession to begin with. The poor girl, to this day, has a complex about being not feminine enough."
"No more brave souls have emerged since that day."
Natalie finished speaking.
"Hey, do you think that she may not like girls at all?"
Nico suddenly brought up the topic.
"She is not local, considering her accent and features. She should be from another continent. Could she like men?"
Nico continued.
"Noooo! It can't be… what is so good about stinky men?"
Natalie lamented.
"It is a waste for such a pretty girl…"
Natalie added, clearly upset. She was acting as if her idol were getting married.
"Honestly, I think she is just focused on her cultivation and is not interested in romance. There are a lot of seniors like that in the sect. Anyway, our lessons about sexual education start in a week. Let's see her reaction then."
Concluded Nico.
"What are you talking about?"
The pleasant, oddly familiar voice suddenly resounded behind them.
>>>>>>>>>>
POV: Rose
"…. our lessons about …. education start in a …. Let's … her reaction then."
After being scolded for a while, I finally managed to escape.
The lecture could be summarized to: "You are the honor student with a bright future and should know better."
I obviously didn't take her harsh words to heart, feeling mostly impatient when I could finally go to the market sector area and buy the opportunity that was destined for the protagonist.
'I should have enough spirit stones now, and the shop that existed in the game exists here, so the item should still be there.'
I speculated, and upon exiting the building, I saw my friends probably waiting for me.
Walking closer, I was able to hear the bits from their conversation.
"Ha? What are you gossiping about?"
I asked jokingly, seeing the girls being so immersed in their conversation.
"Eek!"
They turned around, emitting a high-pitched sound.
"Geez! Don't sneak on us like that."
Natalie complained.
"Well, you should pay more attention to your surroundings next time. Anyway, I am going to do some shopping. What about you all?
I asked in a good mood.
"We were planning to practice at the training grounds…"
Natalie said, still a bit flustered.
"Good, I will see you there after I come back!"
I shouted as I continued on my way.
- half an hour after -
Arriving at the marketplace, I looked at the limestone-paved road curving around the lake. The lamp posts leaned against the road, each one adorned with sect banners, with most of the shops built from wood and stone.
Looking at the lively but orderly atmosphere, I moved in a specific direction.
Talismans, pills, artifacts, and many more shops like that lined up the road. Perhaps affected by the surrounding atmosphere, I decided to look around.
Who knows, affected by the protagonist's luck, I may find something interesting.
I was never the person to enjoy shopping, but making some preparations and knowing the local prices could be useful in the future.
Still, spending some time looking around and seeing a lot of magical items made for a pleasant leisure time.
After more than an hour and almost forgetting the reason, I even went to the marketplace. I finally arrived at the specific shop, looking at the dilapidated inconspicuous building in front of me. I was assured that I was in the right place.
Where could the protagonist find their opportunity, if not in a place like that?
Opening the wooden doors of the shop, they almost broke from their brackets, giving away an unpleasant creaking sound.
The interior was dimly lit and cramped, making it difficult to move around. At the counter sat an elderly woman, most of her head covered by a bamboo hat.
Surprisingly, I wasn't the only customer, yet I didn't pay too much attention to it, starting to look around.
The game never gave too much detail on where the treasure in the shop was exactly located, so my only option was to try my luck.
- Some time later -
[Name: Endracula essence]
The system message suddenly pops up just as I had passed another unremarkable bookshelf. This obviously alerted me, and I looked closer at the bookshelf.
What I discovered was that on the shelf filled with old books, there was a grey, completely normal-looking stone lying in the middle of them.
My eyes lit up upon uncovering the target, and I reached for a stone. Yet, just as I was about to touch its cool surface, someone else seized it before me!
'What?'
I looked up, seeing a tall girl who seemingly just spawned next to me.
'Who the hell are you? And most importantly, give me back my stone!!!'